The Future of Information Systems in the Enterprise

The use of information systems in the enterprise is the backbone of digital transformation and digital business, acting as the binding force between technological, managerial, and organizational innovations. The design and use of information systems in the enterprise evolve alongside technological advancements, shifting managerial strategies, and changing organisational forms and needs (Kotusev, 2019). “Enterprise information systems” has been the key term for information systems that transcend narrow functions, processes, products, markets, or concerns (e.g., ERP, SCM, CRM) and integrate these elements, supporting end-toend, creating synergy, and ensuring coherence in the enterprise context (Cao et al., 2022; Robey et al., 2002). Given the rapid pace of change and advancements in emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, edge computing), alternative approaches to information systems used in enterprises (e.g., shadow IT, cloud/as-a-service), and structures beyond single enterprises (e.g., platforms, ecosystems), this special issue is focused on the future of information systems in the enterprise context and deliberately uses this broader term to emphasise our interest in both conventional enterprise information systems and alternative IS/IT solutions used for similar enterprise-level issues.

Information systems in the enterprise have undergone fundamental paradigm shifts in the past four decades. First, the integration scope of such systems has expanded to include customer activities, supply chains, and business ecosystems (Ignatiadis & Nandhakumar, 2007; Sambhara et al., 2022). Second, technological innovations have fundamentally changed the characteristics and positioning of information systems in the enterprise. These innovations include, among others, transitioning from on-premises to cloud-based operations, shifting from traditional license to as-a-service models, incorporating analytic and execution functionalities, integrating with or evolving into digital platforms, adopting edge computing, and adding artificial intelligence functionalities (Dong et al., 2009; Flak et al., 2022). These

developments set the stage for future challenges, such as how enterprises will further enhance agility and innovation through emerging technologies. Third, managerial innovations require greater flexibility from information systems in the enterprise. These include, among others, the rise of digital platforms and business ecosystems, end-to-end process integration, agile business organization, and continuous development and integration (Aral et al., 2024). Fourth, new types of enterprise systems and other information systems in the enterprise enhance value creation for old and new stakeholders, justifying significant investment while necessitating more sophisticated approaches for their design, development, governance, and operations (see further, Nah et al., 2001; Scott & Vessey, 2002; Dong et al., 2009; Pang et al., 2014; Haki et al., 2020; Mikalef et al., 2020; Flak et al., 2022).

The future of information systems in the enterprise is complex. IS practice must adapt to technological, managerial, and organizational innovations while IS research may need to integrate insights from work on enterprise systems, enterprise architecture, as well as IS governance, digital transformation, IS sourcing, and digital platforms. This special issue aims to address these challenges by inviting disciplinary and interdisciplinary submissions that provide important insights on the direction and future of information systems in the enterprise. Specifically, “The Future of Information Systems in the Enterprise” special issue seeks to generate new knowledge that addresses key practical or theoretical challenges. Topics of interest include, but certainly are not limited to:

•  Alternatives to traditional enterprise information systems such as digital platforms, shadow IT, no-code/low-code, and how the challenges they bring for coherent management, and our understanding of enterprise-level systems
•  Designing future information systems in the enterprise with concerns for both business and societal values
•  Exploring how technological or organizational innovations in the enterprise / enterpriselevel context challenge and extend existing knowledge and theory
•  Extending and adapting the body of knowledge to encompass specific contexts, such as strategies, industries, ecosystems, or specific organizational configurations
•  Horizontal (cross-unit) and vertical (technology-to-business) integration through information systems in the enterprise
•  Specific integration challenges of technology, organization, and humans in the enterprise / enterprise-level context
•  Intersection of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies in information systems in the enterprise
•  Intersection/relation of enterprise and platform/ecosystem-level systems and technologies, and the corresponding challenges such as for organizational strategy
•  Understanding and harnessing the complexity of enterprise computing

Contributing to this special issue is an opportunity to shape the future of enterprise information systems and influence industry practices and academic understanding. We welcome research from all genres on the above and related topics, including conceptual, qualitative, quantitative and design-oriented work.

Timeline:

•  Extended abstract submissions via email to the corresponding special issue editor by 1 November 2024 for early feedback and invitation to the special issue paper development workshop. Results are announced by 15 November 2024. Extended abstracts must not exceed five single-spaced pages, including references, tables, and figures, loosely following the JIT formatting guidelines available at https://journals.sagepub.com/author-instructions/jin
•  Special issue paper development workshop at ICIS 2024: 15 December 2024
•  First-round submissions: 1 April 2025
•  First-round decisions: 1 August 2025
•  Second-round submissions: 1 December 2025
•  Second-round decisions: 1 February 2026 (Papers are either acceptable with minor changes or rejected)
•  Final versions: 1 May 2026 (Final decisions and online publication soon afterwards)

•  Publication: shortly afterwards

References:

Aral, S., Brynjolfsson, E., Gu, C., Wang, H., and Wu, D.J., 2024. Understanding the Returns from Integrated Enterprise Systems: The Impacts of Agile and Phased Implementation Strategies. MIS Quarterly, 48(2), pp.749-774.

Cao, C., Ray, G., Subramani, M., and Gupta, A., 2022. Enterprise Systems and M&A Outcomes for Acquirers and Targets. MIS Quarterly, 45(3), pp.1295-1322.

Dong, L., Neufeld, D., and Higgins, C., 2009. Top Management Support of Enterprise Systems Implementations. Journal of Information Technology, 24, pp.55-80.

Flak, L.S., Solli-Sæther, H., and Straub, D.W., 2022. A Theory of Multi-Realization of IT Value: Toward Construct Clarity in the Co-Development of Large Platforms. MIS Quarterly, 46(3), pp.1739-1757.

Haki, K., Beese, J., Aier, S., and Winter, R., 2020. The Evolution of Information Systems Architecture: An Agent-Based Simulation Model. MIS Quarterly, 44(1), pp.155-184.

Ignatiadis, I., and Nandhakumar, J., 2007. The Impact of Enterprise Systems on Organizational Resilience. Journal of Information Technology, 22(1), pp.36-51.

Kotusev, S., 2019. Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Architecture Artifacts: Questioning the Old Concept in Light of New Findings. Journal of Information Technology, 34(2), pp.102-128.

Mikalef, P., Pateli, A., and van de Wetering, R., 2020. IT Architecture Flexibility and IT Governance Decentralization as Drivers of IT-Enabled Dynamic Capabilities and Competitive Performance: The Moderating Effect of the External Environment. European Journal of Information Systems, 30(5), pp.512-540.

Nah, F.F.H., Lau, J.L.S., and Kuang, J., 2001. Critical Factors for Successful Implementation of Enterprise Systems. Business Process Management Journal, 7(3), pp.285-296.

Pang, M.S., Lee, G., and DeLone, W.H., 2014. IT Resources, Organizational Capabilities, and Value Creation in Public-Sector Organizations: A Public-Value Management Perspective. Journal of Information Technology, 29, pp.187-205.

Robey, D., Ross, J.W., and Boudreau, M.C., 2002. Learning to Implement Enterprise Systems: An Exploratory Study of the Dialectics of Change. Journal of Management Information Systems, 19(1), pp.17-46.

Sambhara, C., Rai, A., and Xu, S.X., 2022. Configuring the Enterprise Systems Portfolio: The Role of Information Risk. Information Systems Research, 33(2), pp.446-463.

Scott, J.E., and Vessey, I., 2002. Managing Risks in Enterprise Systems Implementations. Communications of the ACM, 45(4), pp.74-81.